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Family Head of late Lagbaja expresses regret for obtaining NDA form for him after his death

The head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret over obtaining the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) form for his late relative.

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Reflecting on the tragic loss, Pa Lagbaja stated that had he known the course of events would lead to such a premature death, he would never have pursued the application for the NDA on the deceased’s behalf.

Other members of the Lagbaja family, still reeling from the shock of the untimely death of their distinguished son, have raised concerns that the tragedy may have been linked to sinister forces.

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They suggested that the late General’s death could be the result of a malevolent act stemming from a longstanding land dispute in his ancestral hometown of Ilobu, in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State.

The family’s suspicions are not without context. It was in 2023 that a dispute erupted in Ilobu when the Nigerian Army, in its plan to establish a hospital in the community, became embroiled in tensions with local stakeholders.

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This controversy has since fueled speculation within the family that the untimely death of Lt. General Lagbaja might be connected to these unresolved issues.

In an interview with The Nation, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, who is the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, revealed that he had personally completed the NDA application process for his nephew, who went on to serve with distinction in the Nigerian Army before his tragic passing.

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The distraught family head said, “Everyone who is born must die. We give glory to God. The year that I obtained NDA form for him, if I had known that he would die before me, I would not have done so. I regret obtaining the form for him. But it is destiny.

“The death that killed Taoreed Lagbaja ought to take me. I took him as one of my children. We are greatly bereaved, we are sad. He constructed a borehole in his father’s compound and other places in the community.

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“We can never forget him, his death is so shocking to us. I have accepted the fate, all the promises he made to me have hit a brick wall. He always gave us hope in the family, despite the sorrow, I give thanks to God.”

In a separate statement, a relative of the late Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who preferred to be identified as Madam Toyin, alleged that his death may have been the result of dark forces linked to a land dispute in his community.

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She suggested that the tragic passing could be connected to the ongoing tensions surrounding a local land issue in Ilobu, his hometown.

Lt. General Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a brief illness, a loss confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

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President Tinubu expressed his deep sorrow over the death of the late military leader, describing him as a “dedicated servant of the nation” who served with distinction for over three decades.

The president highlighted Lagbaja’s invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s security and military efforts throughout his career.

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Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023. Over the course of his illustrious career, he held several pivotal leadership roles in key military operations, including Operation Zaki in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, and Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.

A highly regarded graduate of the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, Lagbaja was known for his sharp strategic mind and his unwavering commitment to enhancing the security landscape of Nigeria.

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He leaves behind his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.

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The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.

Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

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While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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